QUINCY, ILL. -- A group of Quincy ministers is coming out in opposition to a possible restaurant development along the city's riverfront.
The ministers are opposing the plan even before any official plans are in place.
Paul Lund is the current president of the Christian Ministers Fellowship group in Quincy. He said they like what Quincy has to offer for families. But with rumors swirling about what might be going into a building along the riverfront, Luhn and his group have some concerns.
"Yeah I think that anytime that something that threatens the spiritual health and well being of families in our community, we want to stand up and encourage the public to let their voice be heard," Lund said.
Their concern about what's going to open in this building could be a bit premature. Because there's been no official word as to what national franchise could locate in the what was formerly Johnny Bang Bang's.
But Lund and his group also have concerns about the actual location. He said they feel the Quincy riverfront is the gateway to the community and they want to see a positive family atmosphere in that area and not something that might fly in the face of what they believe.
"Yes we've asked the local pastors to make their congregation aware of what could possibly be happening down here and call their alderman and let them know how they feel about this," Lund said.
Lund and his group also spoke to the city about video gambling and because of their lobbying, the city council voted to restrict any business to just two video poker machines instead of a larger number. And they're now hoping that their voice will also be heard on this proposed development as well.
Seventh ward aldermen Terri Heinecke said she hasn't fielded any citizens complaints about the proposed business.
She added that Johnny Bang-Bangs Owner Duane Venvertloh is bound by a confidentiality clause and can't speak about the deal.
Venvertloh is out of the state and was unavailable for comment.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA